Two Million Expected in Hajj Pilgrimage as it Starts in Saudi Arabia
2023-06-27
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1Over 2 million Muslims are gathered in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for this year's hajj pilgrimage, or religious trip.
2The pilgrimage has returned to the usual level of participation for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
3The pilgrims made their way out of Mecca on Monday after circling Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba.
4They are gathering in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer.
5The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars, or central beliefs, of Islam.
6The Quran, Islam's holy book, says that all Muslims who are physically and financially able should make the pilgrimage once in their lifetime.
7It takes place over five days.
8The hajj follows a path that Muslims believe their prophet Muhammad walked almost 1,400 years ago.
9The holy walk is seen as a uniting event for the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.
10Some people spend years saving up money to pay for the trip.
11Pilgrims have been circling the Kaaba since arriving in Mecca over recent days.
12As the last ones performed it Monday, the pilgrims made their way by foot or by bus to Mina.
13They will camp there in one of the largest tent cities in the world.
14Mina is a large open space with little to protect people from the sun and intense heat.
15Soldiers cooled pilgrims with water.
16Egyptian businessmen Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words to describe his feelings on arriving at Mina.
17He said, "Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness."
18Pilgrims pray throughout the day and night before traveling on Tuesday to Mount Arafat.
19That is where Muhammad is said to have given his final speech.
20After Arafat, the pilgrims collect small rocks from a place known as Muzdalifa.
21They then return to Mina to throw the rocks at three stone walls that represent evil.
22This is the final act of the hajj.
23Then, Muslims begin celebrating the three-day long holiday of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice.
24I'm Gregory Stachel.
1Over 2 million Muslims are gathered in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for this year's hajj pilgrimage, or religious trip. The pilgrimage has returned to the usual level of participation for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 2The pilgrims made their way out of Mecca on Monday after circling Islam's holiest site, the Kaaba. They are gathering in the nearby desert for a day and night of prayer. 3The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars, or central beliefs, of Islam. The Quran, Islam's holy book, says that all Muslims who are physically and financially able should make the pilgrimage once in their lifetime. It takes place over five days. 4The hajj follows a path that Muslims believe their prophet Muhammad walked almost 1,400 years ago. The holy walk is seen as a uniting event for the world's 1.8 billion Muslims. Some people spend years saving up money to pay for the trip. 5Pilgrims have been circling the Kaaba since arriving in Mecca over recent days. As the last ones performed it Monday, the pilgrims made their way by foot or by bus to Mina. They will camp there in one of the largest tent cities in the world. 6Mina is a large open space with little to protect people from the sun and intense heat. Soldiers cooled pilgrims with water. 7Egyptian businessmen Yehya Al-Ghanam said he was at a loss for words to describe his feelings on arriving at Mina. 8He said, "Tears will fall from my eyes out of joy and happiness." 9Pilgrims pray throughout the day and night before traveling on Tuesday to Mount Arafat. That is where Muhammad is said to have given his final speech. 10After Arafat, the pilgrims collect small rocks from a place known as Muzdalifa. They then return to Mina to throw the rocks at three stone walls that represent evil. This is the final act of the hajj. 11Then, Muslims begin celebrating the three-day long holiday of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice. 12I'm Gregory Stachel. 13Riazat Butt reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. 14_________________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16participate - v. to take part in an activity or event with others 17pillar - n. a basic fact, idea, or principle of something 18prophet - n. a member of some religions (such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) who delivers messages that are believed to have come from God 19tent - n. a portable shelter that is used outdoors, is made of cloth (such as canvas or nylon), and is held up with poles and 20ropes 21joy - n. a feeling of great happiness 22_________________________________________________________________ 23What do you think of this story? 24We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 25Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.